“Home Alone” actress Catherine O’Hara died at the age of 71 on Friday, prompting an outpouring of tributes led by her co-star Macaulay Culkin and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
A representative from Marc Gurvitz’s office confirmed O’Hara’s death, who earned a 2020 Emmy for best comedy actress, which helped propel “Schitt’s Creek” to TV awards season dominance at the 2021 Golden Globes.
The BBC cited a statement from Creative Artists Agency, confirming she died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
O’Hara portrayed Kate McCallister, the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character in “Home Alone,” and Delia Deetz in “Beetlejuice.” Culkin paid tribute to O’Hara on Instagram: “Mama. I thought we had time. I wanted more. I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you. I’ll see you later.”
O’Hara was born on March 4, 1954, and grew up in Toronto as the sixth of seven children. She began her acting career in 1974 as a cast member of the improvisational theater troupe called “The Second City” in Toronto.
Two years later, they created the sketch comedy television show “SCTV,” which often featured O’Hara’s performances.
She provided numerous animated voice roles, including Sally in “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Pinktail in “The Wild Robot,” Brook Ripple in “Elemental,” and multiple voices in “Frankenweenie,” such as Mrs. Frankenstein.
O’Hara died following a brief illness but no official medical cause of death has been released by her family or doctors. The BBC reported that emergency responders were called to her home early that morning due to breathing difficulties, and she was taken to the hospital in serious condition before passing later that day.
Reports have mentioned speculation about health issues, including unverified claims of cancer treatment, but none of this has been officially confirmed by her representative. The specific medical cause remains undisclosed.”